Magnetically-controlled animated toy

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a magnetically controlled animated toy; and more particularly relates to such apparatus that incorporates a magnetic control to enhance the enjoyment of such a toy. In this way, a child may control the antics of the animated toy; and may participate in the toy&#39;&#39;s activities rather than remaining a passive onlooker.

United States Patent [191 Greenblatt 51 Feb. 25,- 1975MAGNETICALLY-CONTROLLED ANIMATED TOY [75] Inventor: Abe Greenblatt,Dallas, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Peter Tseng, Monterey Park, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1973 21 Appl, No.2 401,135

[52] US. Cl .L 46/236, 46/175, 46/247 [51] Int. Cl A63h 29/22 [58] Fieldof Search 46/236, 238, 247, 175

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,232,004 2/1966 7 Felshern: 46/236 3,401,485 9/1968 Goodrum 46/238 l/l969 Bonnano et al 46/2382/l97l Nozaki 46/247 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene AssistantExaminer-Robert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Francis X. LoJacono,Sr.

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a magnetically controlledanimated toy; and more particularly relates to such apparatus thatincorporates a magnetic control to enhance the enjoyment of such a toy.In this way, a child may control the antics of the animated toy; and mayparticipate in the toys activities rather than remaining a passiveonlooker.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 i MAGNETICALLY-CONTROLLED ANIMATED TOYBACKGROUND It is well known that there are presently available alarge'number of animated toys, these being adapted to be energized byapparatus such as inertial motors, spring motors, battery-operatedmotors, and the like.

The inertial motors are usually activated by rolling a plurality ofwheels across a supporting surface such as a floor, in order to impartrotation to a weighted flywheel; whereupon, when the toy is released,the energy stored in the rotating flywheel causes the toy (usually inthe form of a vehicle) to move across the floor. The inertial motor,while economical, has the disadvantage that the movement of the toy isof short duration.

An improved toy-motor utilizes a spring that is key wound before the toyis released. Since springs may be made in many different strengths, itis possible to make a spring motor that is stronger, and will provide alonger interval of action; and the toy may now take many other formssuch as trains, moving animals, and the like.

The latest form of toy motors is one that is driven by electricalbatteries, these being able to provide hours of movement. As a result,battery-driven toys will perform for longer intervals of time, may takemany additional forms, and may use a plurality of different movingmembers such as arms, flags, sound-producing mechanisms, etc.

Unfortunately, most such toys tend to produce a type of movement that isrelatively uninteresting'v e.g., a train rotates continuously around acircular track. When the-toy is designed for more complex types ofmovements, these movements tend to be repetitious. Moreover, these kindsof toys generally require that a .child watch passively as the toy goesthrough its cyclic movements. As a'result, since the child generally hasa relatively short span of interest, he soon becomes bored with the toy.

It may, therefore, be realized that there is a need for a toy that isnot only animated, but also utilizes the childs control andparticipation.

OBJECTIVES AND DRAWINGS It is, therefore, the principal objective of thepresent invention to provide an improved toy.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide-an improvedanimated toy.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide animproved animated toy that is controlled by a child.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide animproved animated toy of a type that requires a childs participation.

It is still further objective of the present invention to provide animproved animated toy to which a small child is attracted, and which hedesires to control.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide animproved animated toy that is a natural" for a small child to beattracted to, and to control.

The attainment of these objectives and others will be realized from astudy of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction withthe drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a'pictorial view of a dog-like toy;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional-view of the interior arrangement of thedog-like toy;

FIG. 3 shows a cut-awayview of a control magnet incorporated intoabone-like article;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a controllable eye;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the controllable eye; and

FIG. 6 shows a pictorial view of a controllable ear.

SYNOPSIS INTRODUCTION As indicated above, there are many animated toysdesigned for children, these animated toys ranging from a simple vehiclethat moves in a straight line to a complex animal that moves, stands up,moves its limbs, etc. In order to disclose the full potentialities ofthe present invention, its operation will be presented in terms of oneof these complex toys specifically, in terms of a dogtoy that iscapableof moving in any of several directions, is capable of rearing upon its hind legs, is adapted to way its tail, produces a barking sound,etc. In this way, the present explanation will show that the disclosedinvention may be used with such a complex toy, or with a much simplertype.

The exemplary toy will be understood from FIG. 1, which shows apictorial view of a controllable device 10 shaped like a dog-toy, saiddevice having a hollow body 11 of material such as thin sheet plastic,and having two front paws I2 and two rear paws 13. The dog 10 also has atail 15 adapted to roll and to move, and has ears 17 adapted to twitch.The face of dog 10 is given a very friendly appearance that would appealto a child; and the entire dog body 11 is covered with a fuzzy,hair-like material that provides an attractive ap pearance andafavorable tactile impression. A dogbone 18 is also provided; and thefunction of the dogbone 18 will be discussed more fully later.

1 As indicated above, for the purposes of explanation, dog 10 is assumedto be one of the very active and complex types of toys; and itsoperation will be better understood from the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 2. This shows the body 11 to contain one or more electric batteries20 that are connected through an electric switch 21 to electric motor 22(not clearly visible in FIG. 2)

that rotates a drive-gear 23 connected to suitable gearing that is notgermane to the present discussion.

Motor 22 is geared to a rotatable platform 25 that carries two drivingwheels 26 thereon, the platform 25 and the driving wheels 26 being sointerconnected that they are adapted to move the dog in a relativelyunpredictable manner and direction. A pair of spaced-apart trailingwheels 27 provides stability to the moving toy 10. A transverselypositioned, continuously rotating rear wheel 28 ordinarily clears thefloor; and its function will be discussed later.

In normal operation of the toy 10, the platform 25 and its drivingwheels 26 move the toy around in a rather unpredictable manner that isintriguing to the child observer. At given intervals, linkage 30-31pivots the rear paws 13; so that the dog 10 rears up on its hind feet atwhich time, the driving wheels 26 are raised from the support surface,and the transversely rotating rear wheel 28 comes into contact with thefloor, to spin the toy into another direction. When the linkage 30-31again permits the dog to assume its normal position, the rear wheel 28becomes ineffectual; and the drive wheels 26 again go into operation. Inthis way, the toy l performs a series of intricate, unpredictablemovements that entrance a child.

' Meanwhile,asuitable lever 32 causes the tail to wag vigorously; and asquawk box 33 is periodically compressed by a suitable arm 34, so that ahorn 35 produces a continual barking sound.

However, as described above, the toy 10 requires a child to sitpassively by as the toy performs its various gyrations; and the childsoon tires of the toy.

The present invention widens the childs interest in the toy, andprovides additional pleasure by permitting the child to partake of thetoys activity.

It was pointed out above that an electric switch 21, usually positionedbeneath the toy, requires an adult to close the switch in order toenergize the toy thus further contributing to the childs passivity. Thepresent invention incorporates a primary control (specifically a switch40) into the nose area 41 or the mouth area 42 of the dog 10. The switch40 preferably takes the form known as a reed switch, comprising a reedof magnetic material that changes its position and/or its curvature whenit is exposed to a magnetic field. When the reed assumes its newconfiguration, it is used to close an electrical circuit; and in thepresent invention the new electrical circuit is used to turn on theelectric motor 22. The new reed-and-circuit may be connected in parallelwith the original switch 21; so that the toy 10 may be energized ineither way.

The present invention also provides a secondary control (specifically, amagnetic field) that is positioned into close proximity to the primarycontrol. In this way, the magnetic field that is external of the devicemay be used to activate the magnetic switch.

In the present case, the secondary control (the magnetic field) isproduced by a control element comprising a permanent magnet 43 that isincorporated into the dog bone" 18 (See FIGS. 1 and 3.); and, when achild feedsYthe dog by bringing the dog bone 18 to the nose/mouth areaof. the dog 10, the magnet 43 in the bone activates the control reedswitch 40 to close and to thus turn on the motor 22. Therefore, thedog-toy 22 immediately goes into operation now being energized by theparticipation of the child feeding the dog. As long as the childcontinues to feed the toy, the toy continues to perform stopping itsaction only when its food is removed.

Additionally, it has been found that, when a child tries to feed thedog, the slight feeding pressure tends to raise the dog's head; so thatthe toy 10 tends to rear up slightly, and to whirl to a differentdirection under the influence of the transversely-rotating rear wheel 28thus, producing the effect ofa dog refusing his food, and running awayfromthe child. All of this tends to be matically causes the dog toremain at its latest position.

Alternatively, for younger children that may not be able to hold thefood" to the dogs mouth during the dogs activities, the control switch40 may be made of the type that has a limited amount of magneticretentiv-' ity, and thus remains closed for a short interval of timeafter the control magnet 43 is removed. This latter arrangement permitsthe child to again approach the toy, and to again feed it, for resumedactivity.

In order to satisfy the needs of still younger children, the toy may beof the type that moves more slowly, moves mostly in straight lines, etc.

The Eyes The present invention also comprises movable eyes for thedog-toy 10. As indicated in FIG. 4, the eye preferably comprisesaneyeball 45 having a pupil 46 therein or thereon, and having a smallmagnet 47 positioned at the bottom of the eyeball; so that, when theeye-magnet 47 is in its lowermost position, the pupil 46 looks straightahead out of the dog-toy 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, eyeball 45 is preferably positioned in a sphericaleye socket 48 of slightly larger size, the space between the eyeball 45and the eye socket 48 being filled with a support liquid that supportsthe eyeball 45 in a somewhat floating relationship and permits theeyeball 45 to rotate freely within the eye socket 48. Any suitablesupport liquid may be used, water or mineral oil having been found quitesatisfactory.

It will be realized (See FIG. 5.) that, when the eyeball 48 is freelysuspended in the eye socket 48, the weight of the eye-magnet 47 willcause the eye-magnet 47 to sink to its lowermost position, thus rotatingthe eyeball 45 until the pupil 46 thereof looks straight ahead out ofthe eye opening of the dog-toy. When a control magnet, such as themagnet 43 in the aforementioned bone 18, is brought near the eye 16, theeye-magnet 47 will respond to the magnetic field established by theexternal bone-magnet; and the eyeball 45 will, therefore, rotate in sucha manner that the'pupil thereof follows the movement of the dog bone.

If desired, each eyeball 45 may have two diametrically oppositelypositioned pupils; so that a pupil will follow the control magnet,regardless of which magnetic pole is presented to the eye.

Thus, as the bone is offered to the dog, both eyes will converge andfollow its movement.

The Ears The present invention also comprises movable ears for thedog-toy 10. As indicated in FIG. 6, the ear 17 has a small ear-magnet 49at the bottom thereof. Therefore, when a control magnet is brought nearthe ear 17, the end of theear will rise. This effect may be enhanced byincorporating a bell or a whistle into the article containing thecontrol magnet; so that the ear seems to respond to a tinkling or awhistling sound.

Modifications The disclosed invention may be used as a game for an olderage group, by means of the following adaptation. The toy or device maybe made in the form of a racing vehicle; and the disclosed magneticswtich is incorporated into the front end of such vehicle. A controlmagnet is affixed to the end of a stick. In using this embodiment, eachplayer maneuvers the magnet end of his stick to remain at the front ofhis vehicle whereupon the vehicles motor maintains a racing pace. Inthis way, each player leads his racing vehicle over an assigned track.

If the player advances his control magnet too far ahead of the vehicle,the vehicles motor goes off thus stopping that vehicle, and placing itat a disadvantage relative to the other racers.

Alternatively, a normally-closed magnetic switch may be positioned atthe top of the vehicle; so that it serves as a target for a bombingcontrol magnet, or the like a hit causing the control magnet to open themagnetic switch, and to thus indicate a hit by stopping the vehicle inits tracks.

SUMMARY The present invention has a number of important advantages.First of all, it increases the enjoyment of an animated toy. Second, itincreases the childs span of interest. Third, it eliminates the childspassivity in respect to the activities of the animated toy. Fourth, itpermits the child to participate in the toys antics. Fifth, it providesa natural relationship between the child and the toy. Sixth, the toyresponds in a natural manner to the advances of the child. Seventh, itis adapted for toys for older and younger children. Eighth, it may beadapted for different types of toys and devices. Ninth, it permits thetoy to be used in its normal manner, if so desired. And, finally, it isrelatively economical to be incorporated into presently used toys.

I claim:

1. In combination with an animated dog-toy adapted to be energized by anelectric battery-operated motor through an electrical circuit, theinvention comprising:

a magnetic reed switch, incorporated into the nose/- mouth area of saiddog-toy, for controlling the energization of said dog-toy by said motorcoupled to ground engaging wheels;

a permanent magnet incorporated into a dog bone,

for activating said magnetic switch when said dog bone is manuallyplaced in close proximity with said nose/mouth area of said dog-toy;

means for causing the magnetic field of said permanent magnet in saidbone to close said magnetic switch in said dog-toy, to complete anelectrical circuit to said battery/motor, to permit energization of saiddog-toy by said motor;

a pair of spherical eye sockets fixedly mounted within said dog-toy;

an eyeball having a pupil thereon, said eyeball being freely disposedwithin said spherical eye socket, 'said eye socket having an innerdiameter larger than the outer diameter of said eyeball, whereby spacetherebetween is provided;

said eyeball having at least one pupil secured thereto;

a permanent magnet positioned within said eyeball;

and

a support liquid disposed in said space between said eyeball and saideye socket, whereby said eyeball is allowed to freely rotate within saidspherical eye socket in a floating relationship thereto.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnet disposed insaid eyeball is positioned at the bottom, lowermost position thereof,whereby said pupil looks straight ahead when in a non-activated mode.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2, wherein said dog-toy furthercomprises a pair of flapable ears, each containing a permanent magnettherein, whereby said ears can be flapped by a movable magnet.

4. The invention as recited in claim 2, wherein said eyeball is providedwith two diametrically, oppositely positioned pupils, whereby saidpupils will follow the control of a movable magnet, regardless of whichmagnetic pole is presented to said eyeball.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein said support liquiddisposed between said eyeball and said eye socket is water.

6. The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein said support liquiddisposed between said eyeball and said eye socket is a mineral oil.

1. In combination with an animated dog-toy adapted to be energized by anelectric battery-operated motor thrOugh an electrical circuit, theinvention comprising: a magnetic reed switch, incorporated into thenose/mouth area of said dog-toy, for controlling the energization ofsaid dog-toy by said motor coupled to ground engaging wheels; apermanent magnet incorporated into a dog bone, for activating saidmagnetic switch when said dog bone is manually placed in close proximitywith said nose/mouth area of said dog-toy; means for causing themagnetic field of said permanent magnet in said bone to close saidmagnetic switch in said dog-toy, to complete an electrical circuit tosaid battery/motor, to permit energization of said dog-toy by saidmotor; a pair of spherical eye sockets fixedly mounted within saiddogtoy; an eyeball having a pupil thereon, said eyeball being freelydisposed within said spherical eye socket, said eye socket having aninner diameter larger than the outer diameter of said eyeball, wherebyspace therebetween is provided; said eyeball having at least one pupilsecured thereto; a permanent magnet positioned within said eyeball; anda support liquid disposed in said space between said eyeball and saideye socket, whereby said eyeball is allowed to freely rotate within saidspherical eye socket in a floating relationship thereto.
 2. Theinvention as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnet disposed in saideyeball is positioned at the bottom, lowermost position thereof, wherebysaid pupil looks straight ahead when in a non-activated mode.
 3. Theinvention as recited in claim 2, wherein said dog-toy further comprisesa pair of flapable ears, each containing a permanent magnet therein,whereby said ears can be flapped by a movable magnet.
 4. The inventionas recited in claim 2, wherein said eyeball is provided with twodiametrically, oppositely positioned pupils, whereby said pupils willfollow the control of a movable magnet, regardless of which magneticpole is presented to said eyeball.
 5. The invention as recited in claim4, wherein said support liquid disposed between said eyeball and saideye socket is water.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid support liquid disposed between said eyeball and said eye socket isa mineral oil.